JP2008026103A - Ultrasonic flow velocity meter - Google Patents

Ultrasonic flow velocity meter Download PDF

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JP2008026103A
JP2008026103A JP2006197911A JP2006197911A JP2008026103A JP 2008026103 A JP2008026103 A JP 2008026103A JP 2006197911 A JP2006197911 A JP 2006197911A JP 2006197911 A JP2006197911 A JP 2006197911A JP 2008026103 A JP2008026103 A JP 2008026103A
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time
ultrasonic
signal
signal detection
counter
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JP4661714B2 (en
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Yuji Nakabayashi
裕治 中林
Bunichi Shiba
文一 芝
Yukio Nagaoka
行夫 長岡
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Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
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Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize low flow velocity measurement by improving time resolution by a timer having high resolution and operated stably. <P>SOLUTION: This current meter is equipped with an oscillation part 26 formed by connecting in a ring shape an inversion means 9-15 to a delay means 16-22, a counter 23 for counting the oscillation frequency from the oscillation part 26, a signal detection means 24 for performing Hi/Lo detection of a connection spot connected in the ring shape, and a time conversion means 25 for determining a measuring time from the counter 23 and the signal detection means 24 by operation. Since the measuring time is determined from the counter 23 and the signal detection means 24 by operation, the time resolution of the oscillation part 26 can be heightened without heightening an oscillation frequency. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、特に超音波によって流速または流量を計測する装置に関するものである。   The present invention particularly relates to an apparatus for measuring a flow velocity or a flow rate by ultrasonic waves.

従来の超音波流速計は、図3に示すように、流路1に超音波振動子2および3を流れの方向に相対して設置し、制御部4はタイマ5をスタートさせると同時に駆動回路6を動作させる。駆動回路6により駆動された超音波振動子2から送信された超音波は、超音波振動子3で受信され、超音波振動子3の出力を受けた受信検知回路7により受信検知される。タイマ5は超音波が送信されてから受信検知されるまでの伝搬時間を計測し、演算部8はタイマ5が計測した時間から流路1の中の流速を演算によって求めていた。   As shown in FIG. 3, the conventional ultrasonic velocimeter has ultrasonic transducers 2 and 3 installed in the flow path 1 so as to be opposed to the flow direction, and the control unit 4 starts a timer 5 and simultaneously drives a driving circuit. 6 is operated. The ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer 2 driven by the drive circuit 6 is received by the ultrasonic transducer 3 and received and detected by the reception detection circuit 7 that has received the output of the ultrasonic transducer 3. The timer 5 measures the propagation time from when the ultrasonic wave is transmitted until it is detected, and the calculation unit 8 obtains the flow velocity in the flow path 1 by calculation from the time measured by the timer 5.

また、低流速時の微少な伝搬時間の変化を計測するため、時間分解能の高い高分解能タイマを設置し前記タイマと高分解能タイマとを組み合わせ、低流速の計測を可能としている超音波流速計もあった。(例えば、特許文献1参照)。前記高分解能タイマを図4に示す、構成が簡単、起動時間が短い、高周波発振が可能という特徴をもつ発振回路、反転手段を奇数個リング状に接続したリングオシレータを利用している。   In addition, in order to measure minute changes in propagation time at low flow rates, there is also an ultrasonic anemometer that is equipped with a high-resolution timer with high time resolution and combines the timer and high-resolution timer to enable measurement of low flow rates. there were. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). The high-resolution timer shown in FIG. 4 uses an oscillation circuit having a simple configuration, a short start-up time, and high-frequency oscillation, and a ring oscillator having an odd number of inversion means connected in a ring shape.

前記リングオシレータの動作を図5を用いて説明すると、NAND反転手段9と、INV反転手段10、11、12、13、14、15は入力信号を反転させた出力をそれぞれ遅延手段16,17,18,19,20,21,22へ出力する。それぞれの遅延手段では入力と同じ信号を遅延時間経過した後にそれぞれに対する次段の反転手段10、11、12、13、14、15、9へ出力する。このようにリング状に接続された経路一周中に反転手段は奇数設置しているので、安定することなく時間経過とともに信号がリング状経路を移動し発振するよう構成されている。この発振数をカウンタ23で数え時間計測する。   The operation of the ring oscillator will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The NAND inversion means 9 and the INV inversion means 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 are the delay means 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. Each delay means outputs the same signal as the input to the next-stage inversion means 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 9 after the delay time has elapsed. In this way, since the inverting means is provided in an odd number in one round of the path connected in a ring shape, the signal moves along the ring path and oscillates with time without being stabilized. The number of oscillations is counted by the counter 23 and measured.

反転手段の出力遅延時間に対し、遅延手段の出力遅延時間は長いため、反転手段の出力周期はそれぞれの遅延手段の合計遅延時間の約2倍となり、この周期が時間計測の分解能となる。
特開2000−213971号公報
Since the output delay time of the delay means is longer than the output delay time of the inversion means, the output period of the inversion means is about twice the total delay time of each delay means, and this period becomes the resolution of time measurement.
JP 2000-213971 A

しかしながら前記従来の構成では、さらなる低流速を計測する流速計を実現しようとした場合、前記高分解能タイマの周波数をさらに上げる必要がある。この場合周波数の増加に比例し消費電流が増え、電池で長時間動作させることができないという問題があった。   However, in the conventional configuration, in order to realize a flowmeter that measures a further low flow rate, it is necessary to further increase the frequency of the high-resolution timer. In this case, the current consumption increases in proportion to the increase in frequency, and there is a problem that the battery cannot be operated for a long time.

さらに、前記リングオシレータの周波数を上げるため、遅延手段9の遅延時間を短くすると、図5に示すように反転手段の入力電圧がHi或いはLoで安定する前に、HiからLo或いはLoからHiへ変化するため、反転手段9の入力信号振幅がスレッショルドレベル付近で小さな幅で変動するようになる。このような状態ではノイズ、回路の電源電圧、反転手段9の特性などの要因で発振動作が不安定になるという問題があった。   Further, if the delay time of the delay means 9 is shortened in order to increase the frequency of the ring oscillator, before the input voltage of the inverting means stabilizes at Hi or Lo as shown in FIG. 5, from Hi to Lo or Lo to Hi. Therefore, the amplitude of the input signal of the inverting means 9 varies with a small width near the threshold level. In such a state, there has been a problem that the oscillation operation becomes unstable due to factors such as noise, circuit power supply voltage, and characteristics of the inverting means 9.

そこで、時間計測の高分解能化を安定かつ低消費電流で実現するという課題を有していた。   Therefore, there has been a problem of realizing high resolution of time measurement with stable and low current consumption.

本発明は前記従来の課題を解決するもので、低流速を低消費電力で精度よく計測する流
速計を提供することを目的とする。
The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a current meter that accurately measures a low flow rate with low power consumption.

前記従来の課題を解決するために、本発明の超音波流速計は、超音波の伝搬時間を計測するタイマが、入力を反転した信号を出力する反転手段を奇数個リング状に接続した発振部(リングオシレータ)と、前記発振部の発振数をカウントするカウンタと、前記リング状発振部内の接続部の信号状態を検知する信号検知手段と、前記カウンタと前記信号検知手段とから演算によって計測時間を求める時間変換手段とを備えたものである。   In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the ultrasonic velocity meter according to the present invention includes an oscillating unit in which a timer for measuring the propagation time of ultrasonic waves has an odd number of inverting means for outputting a signal obtained by inverting the input. (Ring oscillator), a counter that counts the number of oscillations of the oscillating unit, a signal detection unit that detects a signal state of a connection unit in the ring-shaped oscillating unit, and a measurement time by calculation from the counter and the signal detection unit Is provided with time conversion means for obtaining.

上記発明によれば、信号検知手段によりリングオシレータ内の接続部信号が、HiあるいはLoどちらであるか検知する。時間変換手段ではリングオシレータのどの箇所までHiあるいはLoの伝達が進んでいるかを、時間に変換する。よって時間分解能は信号検知手段の検知間隔となる。これによりリングオシレータの発振周波数を上げることなく高い時間分解能を得る。   According to the above invention, the signal detection means detects whether the connection portion signal in the ring oscillator is Hi or Lo. The time conversion means converts to what time the transmission of Hi or Lo is progressing to the ring oscillator. Therefore, the time resolution is the detection interval of the signal detection means. As a result, high time resolution can be obtained without increasing the oscillation frequency of the ring oscillator.

本発明の流速計は、低消費電流で動作する時間計測手段の実現により、低消費電流で安定した超音波流速計を提供することができる。   The current meter of the present invention can provide a stable ultrasonic current meter with low current consumption by realizing a time measuring means that operates with low current consumption.

第1の発明は、流路に超音波を伝搬させる超音波送受信手段と、前記超音波の伝搬時間を計測するタイマと、タイマの計測結果から流速を演算により求める演算手段とを有し、前記タイマが、入力を反転した信号を出力する奇数個の反転手段と、入力信号を所定時間遅延させ出力する複数の遅延手段とをリング状に接続した発振部(リングオシレータ)と、前記発振部の発振数をカウントするカウンタと、前記リング状発振部内の接続部の信号状態を検知する信号検知手段と、前記カウンタと前記信号検知手段とから演算によって計測時間を求める時間変換手段とを備えたものである。これにより、信号検知手段によりリングオシレータ内の接続部信号が、HiあるいはLoどちらであるか検知する。時間変換手段ではリングオシレータのどの箇所までHiあるいはLoの伝達が進んでいるかを、時間に変換する。よって時間分解能は信号検知手段の検知間隔となる。これによりリングオシレータの発振周波数を上げることなく高い時間分解能を得る。   1st invention has the ultrasonic transmission-and-reception means which propagates an ultrasonic wave to a flow path, the timer which measures the propagation time of the said ultrasonic wave, and the calculation means which calculates | requires the flow velocity by calculation from the measurement result of the timer, A timer includes an oscillating unit (ring oscillator) in which an odd number of inverting units that output a signal obtained by inverting an input and a plurality of delay units that output the input signal after being delayed by a predetermined time are connected in a ring shape, A counter that counts the number of oscillations, a signal detection unit that detects a signal state of a connection portion in the ring-shaped oscillation unit, and a time conversion unit that obtains a measurement time by calculation from the counter and the signal detection unit It is. Thereby, it is detected by the signal detection means whether the connection signal in the ring oscillator is Hi or Lo. The time conversion means converts to what time the transmission of Hi or Lo is progressing to the ring oscillator. Therefore, the time resolution is the detection interval of the signal detection means. As a result, high time resolution can be obtained without increasing the oscillation frequency of the ring oscillator.

第2の発明は、リングオシレータから信号を検知する接続部の間の、リングオシレータ内の構成をほぼ同等としたものである。これにより、信号検知手段が検知する時間間隔が一定となるため、正確な時間を計測することができる。また、時間間隔の検定が不要になる。   In the second aspect of the present invention, the configuration in the ring oscillator between the connection portions that detect signals from the ring oscillator is made substantially equal. Thereby, since the time interval which a signal detection means detects becomes constant, exact time can be measured. In addition, time interval verification is not required.

第3の発明は、発振部に遅延手段を設け、前記遅延手段が反転手段を偶数個接続することによって構成したものである。これにより、反転手段と遅延手段の構成が同じなので、リングオシレータ内の移動する信号の速度が一定になり、検知手段で検知する信号の間隔が等しくなるので、正確な時間を計測することができる。また時間間隔の検定が不要になる。   According to a third aspect of the present invention, delay means is provided in the oscillation section, and the delay means connects an even number of inversion means. Thereby, since the structure of the inversion means and the delay means is the same, the speed of the moving signal in the ring oscillator becomes constant, and the interval of the signals detected by the detection means becomes equal, so that an accurate time can be measured. . Also, no time interval verification is required.

第4の発明は、伝搬時間が所定以上の時には、信号検知手段の動作を無効にする無効手段を備えたものである。これにより、流速の分解能は伝搬時間と時間分解能との比で決まるため、伝搬時間が長くなると計測分解能が高くなる。そこで伝搬時間が必要な計測分解能が得られる値以上の場合は、信号検知手段の動作を無効とし必要以上の動作、演算を抑制するので、計測分解能を確保しつつ消費電流を少なくすることができる。   The fourth invention is provided with invalid means for invalidating the operation of the signal detection means when the propagation time is not less than a predetermined time. Thereby, since the resolution of the flow velocity is determined by the ratio of the propagation time and the time resolution, the measurement resolution becomes higher as the propagation time becomes longer. Therefore, when the measurement resolution required for the propagation time is higher than the value that can be obtained, the operation of the signal detection means is invalidated and the unnecessary operation and calculation are suppressed, so that the current consumption can be reduced while ensuring the measurement resolution. .

第5の発明は、前回計測した流速が所定以上の値の時には、信号検知手段の動作を無効
にする無効手段を備えたものである。これにより、必要な流速の計測精度を計測値に対して一定とすると、計測流速が早くなるにつれ流速の分解能も多くなり、必要な時間分解能は長くなる。そこで流速計測に必要な分解能が得られる値以上の場合は、信号検知手段の動作を無効とし必要以上の動作、演算を抑制することにより、消費電流を少なくすることができる。
The fifth invention is provided with invalid means for invalidating the operation of the signal detection means when the previously measured flow velocity is a predetermined value or more. As a result, if the measurement accuracy of the required flow rate is constant with respect to the measurement value, the resolution of the flow rate increases as the measurement flow rate increases, and the required time resolution increases. Therefore, when the resolution required for the flow velocity measurement is greater than or equal to a value, current consumption can be reduced by invalidating the operation of the signal detection means and suppressing unnecessary operations and calculations.

第6の発明は、請求項1項記載の時間変換手段の全てもしくは一部としてコンピュータを機能させるためのプログラムである。そして、プログラムであるので汎用コンピュータやサーバーを用いて本発明の超音波流速計の一部或いは全てを容易に実現することができる。また記録媒体に記録したり通信回線を用いてプログラムを配信したりすることでプログラムの配布やインストール作業が簡単にできる。   A sixth invention is a program for causing a computer to function as all or part of the time conversion means described in claim 1. And since it is a program, a part or all of the ultrasonic velocity meter of this invention can be easily implement | achieved using a general purpose computer or a server. Also, program distribution and installation can be simplified by recording on a recording medium or distributing a program using a communication line.

(実施の形態1)
図1は本発明の第1の実施の形態における超音波流速計のブロック図を示すものである。
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic current meter according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

図1において、流路1に超音波振動子2および3を流れの方向に相対して設置し、制御部4はタイマ5を計測開始させると同時に駆動回路6を動作させる。駆動回路6により駆動された超音波振動子2から送信された超音波は、超音波振動子3で受信され、超音波振動子3の出力を受けた受信検知回路7により受信検知される。受信検知回路7は受信検知するとタイマ5を止める。このようにしてタイマ5は超音波が送信されてから受信検知されるまでの伝搬時間を計測する。演算部8はタイマ5が計測した伝搬時間から流路1の中の流速を演算によって求める。   In FIG. 1, ultrasonic transducers 2 and 3 are installed in the flow path 1 so as to be opposed to the flow direction, and the control unit 4 starts measurement of the timer 5 and simultaneously operates the drive circuit 6. The ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer 2 driven by the drive circuit 6 is received by the ultrasonic transducer 3 and received and detected by the reception detection circuit 7 that has received the output of the ultrasonic transducer 3. The reception detection circuit 7 stops the timer 5 when reception is detected. In this way, the timer 5 measures the propagation time from when the ultrasonic wave is transmitted until reception is detected. The calculation unit 8 calculates the flow velocity in the flow path 1 from the propagation time measured by the timer 5 by calculation.

図2はタイマ5の詳細な図である。図2のNAND反転手段9、INV反転手段10、11、12、13、14、15は入力信号を反転させた出力をそれぞれ遅延手段16、17、18、19、20、21、22へ出力するリング状回路26を構成する。それぞれの遅延手段で入力信号を遅延時間経過した後にそれぞれに対する次段の反転手段10、11、12、13、14、15、9へ出力する。遅延手段では、INV反転手段を偶数個接続した構成としている。このようにリング状に接続された経路一周中に反転手段は奇数設置しているので、安定することなく時間経過とともに信号がリング状経路を移動し発振するよう構成されている。この発振数を遅延手段10の出力をカウンタ23により数える。NAND反転手段9の第2入力は、制御部4へ接続され計測開始の信号を受ける、第3入力は受信検知回路7の出力を受けNAND反転手段9の出力をホールドする。さらに遅延手段16、17、18,19、20、21、22の出力信号をラッチするラッチ回路24と、ラッチした信号を受け時間情報に変更する時間変換手段25を備え、タイマ5の出力としてカウンタ23と時間変換手段25との出力を演算部8へ出力する。   FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram of the timer 5. The NAND inversion means 9 and INV inversion means 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 in FIG. 2 output the output obtained by inverting the input signal to the delay means 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22, respectively. A ring-shaped circuit 26 is configured. After the delay time elapses in each delay means, the signal is output to the next-stage inversion means 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 9 for each. In the delay means, an even number of INV inversion means are connected. In this way, since the inversion means is provided in an odd number in one round of the path connected in the ring shape, the signal moves along the ring path and oscillates with time without being stabilized. The number of oscillations is counted by the counter 23 from the output of the delay means 10. A second input of the NAND inversion means 9 is connected to the control unit 4 and receives a measurement start signal, and a third input receives the output of the reception detection circuit 7 and holds the output of the NAND inversion means 9. Furthermore, a latch circuit 24 that latches the output signals of the delay means 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 and a time conversion means 25 that receives the latched signals and changes them to time information are provided. 23 and the time conversion means 25 are output to the calculation unit 8.

以上のように構成された超音波流速計にについて、以下その動作、作用を説明する。制御部4はNAND反転手段9の入力にHi信号を送ることにより、リング状回路26の発振を開始させると同時に駆動回路6を動作させ超音波振動子2を駆動し超音波を流路1内に伝搬させる。リング状回路26の発振数をカウンタ23で数える。受信検知回路7で超音波が受信されると受信検知回路7の出力をHiからLoに変更する。NAND反転手段9は受信検知回路7の出力Loを受け、Lo信号を受けた時の出力に固定するので、リング状回路26の発振は停止する。また受信検知回路の出力を受けたラッチ回路24は、入力をラッチし表1に示す対応に従い時間情報に変更し演算手段8に出力する。カウンタ23はリング状回路26の発振数を遅延手段10の出力からカウントし演算手段8に出力する。演算手段8では入力した時間情報から演算により流速を求める。   The operation and action of the ultrasonic velocimeter configured as described above will be described below. The control unit 4 sends a Hi signal to the input of the NAND inversion means 9 to start the oscillation of the ring-shaped circuit 26 and simultaneously operates the drive circuit 6 to drive the ultrasonic transducer 2 to transmit the ultrasonic wave in the flow path 1. To propagate. The counter 23 counts the number of oscillations of the ring circuit 26. When the ultrasonic wave is received by the reception detection circuit 7, the output of the reception detection circuit 7 is changed from Hi to Lo. Since the NAND inversion means 9 receives the output Lo of the reception detection circuit 7 and fixes it to the output when the Lo signal is received, the oscillation of the ring-shaped circuit 26 stops. The latch circuit 24 that has received the output of the reception detection circuit latches the input, changes the time information according to the correspondence shown in Table 1, and outputs the time information to the computing means 8. The counter 23 counts the number of oscillations of the ring-like circuit 26 from the output of the delay means 10 and outputs it to the calculation means 8. The calculation means 8 obtains the flow velocity by calculation from the input time information.

また、前回の計測で求めた伝搬時間が所定の値以上の時には、制御部4からラッチ回路
24への動作停止信号27により、ラッチ回路24は動作を停止し、演算手段は8はカウンタ23の出力のみで流速を演算によって算出する。
Further, when the propagation time obtained in the previous measurement is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the latch circuit 24 is stopped by the operation stop signal 27 from the control unit 4 to the latch circuit 24, and the calculation means 8 is the counter 23. The flow velocity is calculated by calculation using only the output.

また、前回の計測で求めた流速が所定の値以上の時には、制御部からラッチ回路への動作停止信号27により、ラッチ回路24は動作を停止し、演算手段は8はカウンタ23の出力のみで流速を演算によって算出する。   Further, when the flow velocity obtained in the previous measurement is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the latch circuit 24 is stopped by the operation stop signal 27 from the control unit to the latch circuit, and the calculation means 8 is only the output of the counter 23. The flow rate is calculated by calculation.

このように、リング状回路26の発振周波数を高くすることなく、発振周波数以上の時間分解能を得ることができる。   Thus, a time resolution equal to or higher than the oscillation frequency can be obtained without increasing the oscillation frequency of the ring-shaped circuit 26.

また、リング状回路26からラッチ信号を取り出す接続部間のリングオシレータ内の構成がほぼ同等であるので、遅延時間が均等にすることができ、ラッチした信号から算出した時間精度を高くすることができる。また、時間間隔の検定が不要になる。   In addition, since the configurations in the ring oscillator between the connection portions for extracting the latch signal from the ring-shaped circuit 26 are substantially the same, the delay time can be equalized, and the time accuracy calculated from the latched signal can be increased. it can. In addition, time interval verification is not required.

また、遅延手段と反転手段を偶数個接続することによって構成したものである。反転手段と遅延手段の構成が同じなので、リングオシレータ内の移動する信号の速度が一定になり、検知手段で検知する信号の間隔が等しくなるので、正確な時間を計測することができる。また時間間隔の検定が不要になる。また、温度特性・電圧変動特性も均一になるので、補正が容易にできる。   Further, it is configured by connecting an even number of delay means and inversion means. Since the inversion means and the delay means have the same configuration, the speed of the moving signal in the ring oscillator is constant, and the intervals of the signals detected by the detection means are equal, so that an accurate time can be measured. Also, no time interval verification is required. In addition, temperature characteristics and voltage fluctuation characteristics are uniform, and correction can be easily performed.

また、伝搬時間が所定以上の時には、制御部4からラッチ回路24への動作停止信号により、ラッチ回路24は動作を停止し、演算手段は8はカウンタ23の出力のみで流速を演算によって算出する。ラッチ回路24の動作を無効とし必要以上の動作、演算を抑制するので、計測分解能を確保しつつ消費電流を少なくすることができる。   Further, when the propagation time is equal to or longer than a predetermined value, the latch circuit 24 is stopped by an operation stop signal from the control unit 4 to the latch circuit 24, and the calculation means 8 calculates the flow velocity by calculation only by the output of the counter 23. . Since the operation of the latch circuit 24 is invalidated and operations and calculations more than necessary are suppressed, current consumption can be reduced while ensuring measurement resolution.

また、前回計測した流速が所定以上の値の時には、制御部4からラッチ回路24への動作停止信号により、ラッチ回路24は動作を停止し、演算手段は8はカウンタ23の出力のみで流速を演算によって算出する。ラッチ回路24の動作を無効とし必要以上の動作、演算を抑制することにより、消費電流を少なくすることができる。   When the previously measured flow rate is a predetermined value or more, the operation of the latch circuit 24 is stopped by the operation stop signal from the control unit 4 to the latch circuit 24. Calculate by calculation. By disabling the operation of the latch circuit 24 and suppressing unnecessary operations and operations, current consumption can be reduced.

また、時間変換手段25の全てもしくは一部としてコンピュータを機能させるためのプログラムである。そして、プログラムであるので汎用コンピュータやサーバーを用いて本発明の超音波流速計の一部或いは全てを容易に実現することができる。また記録媒体に記録したり通信回線を用いてプログラムを配信したりすることでプログラムの配布やインストール作業が簡単にできる。   In addition, it is a program for causing a computer to function as all or part of the time conversion means 25. And since it is a program, a part or all of the ultrasonic velocity meter of this invention can be easily implement | achieved using a general purpose computer or a server. Also, program distribution and installation can be simplified by recording on a recording medium or distributing a program using a communication line.

なお、ここでは反転手段を複数個使用し、その間の接続点から信号を取り出しラッチしたが、遅延手段を複数個使用しても、時間換算の論理をへんこうすることにより同等の作用効果を得ることができる。   Here, a plurality of inversion means are used and a signal is taken out and latched from a connection point between them. However, even if a plurality of delay means are used, the same effect can be obtained by applying time conversion logic. be able to.

以上のように、本発明にかかる超音波流速計は高分解能・低消費電力で流速計測が可能になるので、温度の高精度計測等の用途にも適用できる。   As described above, since the ultrasonic flowmeter according to the present invention can measure flow velocity with high resolution and low power consumption, it can be applied to applications such as high-precision measurement of temperature.

本発明の実施の形態1における超音波流速計のロック図Lock diagram of ultrasonic current meter in embodiment 1 of the present invention 本発明の実施の形態1におけるタイマの詳細図Detailed view of timer in embodiment 1 of the present invention 本発明の実施の形態1における信号時間変換表を示す図The figure which shows the signal time conversion table | surface in Embodiment 1 of this invention. 従来の超音波流速計のブロック図Block diagram of a conventional ultrasonic current meter 従来の超音波流速計のタイマの詳細図Detailed view of conventional ultrasonic current meter timer

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

1 流路
2 超音波振動子
3 超音波振動子
4 制御部
5 タイマ
6 駆動回路
7 受信検知回路
8 演算部
9〜15 反転手段
16〜22 遅延手段
23 カウンタ
24 信号検知手段
25 時間変換手段
26 リングオシレータ
27 無効手段
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flow path 2 Ultrasonic vibrator 3 Ultrasonic vibrator 4 Control part 5 Timer 6 Drive circuit 7 Reception detection circuit 8 Calculation part 9-15 Inversion means 16-22 Delay means 23 Counter 24 Signal detection means 25 Time conversion means 26 Ring Oscillator 27 Invalid means

Claims (6)

流路に超音波を伝搬させる超音波送受信手段と、前記超音波の伝搬時間を計測するタイマと、タイマの計測結果から流速を演算により求める演算手段とを有し、前記タイマが入力を反転した信号を出力する奇数個の反転手段と、入力信号を所定時間遅延させ出力する複数の遅延手段とを、リング状に接続した発振部(リングオシレータ)と、前記発振部の発振数をカウントするカウンタと、前記リング状発振部内の接続部の信号状態を検知する信号検知手段と、前記カウンタと前記信号検知手段とから演算によって計測時間を求める時間変換手段とを備えた超音波流速計。 An ultrasonic transmission / reception means for propagating ultrasonic waves in the flow path; a timer for measuring the propagation time of the ultrasonic waves; and a calculation means for calculating a flow velocity from the measurement result of the timer; An oscillating section (ring oscillator) in which an odd number of inverting means for outputting a signal and a plurality of delay means for delaying and outputting an input signal for a predetermined time are connected in a ring shape, and a counter for counting the number of oscillations of the oscillating section An ultrasonic velocimeter comprising: a signal detection unit that detects a signal state of a connection portion in the ring-shaped oscillation unit; and a time conversion unit that obtains a measurement time by calculation from the counter and the signal detection unit. リングオシレータから信号を検知する接続部の間の、リングオシレータ内の構成がほぼ同等とした請求項1記載の超音波流速計。 The ultrasonic anemometer according to claim 1, wherein a configuration in the ring oscillator between connection portions for detecting a signal from the ring oscillator is substantially equal. 発振部の遅延手段が、反転手段と同じ構成を偶数個接続することによって構成する請求項1記載の超音波流速計。 2. The ultrasonic current meter according to claim 1, wherein the delay means of the oscillating unit is configured by connecting an even number of the same configurations as the inverting means. 伝搬時間が所定以上の時には、信号検知手段の動作を無効にする無効手段を備えた請求項1記載の超音波流速計。 The ultrasonic velocity meter according to claim 1, further comprising invalid means for invalidating the operation of the signal detection means when the propagation time is a predetermined time or more. 前回計測した流速が所定以上の値の時には、信号検知手段の動作を無効にする無効手段を備えた請求項1記載の超音波流速計。 The ultrasonic anemometer according to claim 1, further comprising invalid means for invalidating the operation of the signal detection means when the previously measured flow velocity is a predetermined value or more. 請求項1項記載の時間変換手段の全てもしくは一部としてコンピュータを機能させるためのプログラム。
A program for causing a computer to function as all or part of the time conversion means according to claim 1.
JP2006197911A 2006-07-20 2006-07-20 Ultrasonic anemometer Expired - Fee Related JP4661714B2 (en)

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110595554A (en) * 2019-09-24 2019-12-20 西安交通大学 Ultrasonic experimental device and method for casing device
CN113108853A (en) * 2021-04-08 2021-07-13 西南石油大学 Method for improving flow measurement accuracy of low-flow-velocity fluid

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JPH09218281A (en) * 1996-02-09 1997-08-19 Denso Corp Time-measuring apparatus
JPH09257539A (en) * 1996-03-22 1997-10-03 Aichi Tokei Denki Co Ltd Ultrasonic flowmeter
JPH1151725A (en) * 1997-08-06 1999-02-26 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Ultrasonic flowmeter
JP2000213971A (en) * 1999-01-21 2000-08-04 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Ultrasonic flowmeter

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH09218281A (en) * 1996-02-09 1997-08-19 Denso Corp Time-measuring apparatus
JPH09257539A (en) * 1996-03-22 1997-10-03 Aichi Tokei Denki Co Ltd Ultrasonic flowmeter
JPH1151725A (en) * 1997-08-06 1999-02-26 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Ultrasonic flowmeter
JP2000213971A (en) * 1999-01-21 2000-08-04 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Ultrasonic flowmeter

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110595554A (en) * 2019-09-24 2019-12-20 西安交通大学 Ultrasonic experimental device and method for casing device
CN113108853A (en) * 2021-04-08 2021-07-13 西南石油大学 Method for improving flow measurement accuracy of low-flow-velocity fluid
CN113108853B (en) * 2021-04-08 2022-05-06 西南石油大学 Method for improving flow measurement accuracy of low-flow-velocity fluid

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